But Felders a million opportunity was soon destroyed by the New York State Atletic Commission, which called him Title challenger declared unfit because he is an unruly lightweight.

The news was confirmed to MMAjunkie after the tweets from Felder and his co-manager Bryan Hamper, who wrote, "And the commission's justification is a ranking … you're doing great NYSAC like that!" A NYSAC representative was not immediately available Comment

5 fighter in the MMAjunkie / USA TODAY Sports MMA lightweight rankings, is expected to be his originally planned opponent, Al Iaquinta (13-3-1 MMA, 8-2 UFC) who tweeted his ability to tweet weight for the short

The UFC began a mad dispute Replace Holloway after the commission prevented him from losing weight. In a statement, Holloway apologized to Nurmagomedov and said he would continue to shed pounds.

With several UFC lightweights competing on the map, the promotion had several fighters to choose from. But it quickly went to ex-champion Anthony Pettis (20-7 MMA, 7-6 UFC), who had lost his fight with Michael Chiesa (14-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) on Thursday after lightweight champion Conor McGregor ( 21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) injured Chiesa during a rampage through the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where the pay-per-view event takes place.

At today's official cradles, Pettis stepped on the scales at 155.2 pounds, a sign that would have made him free for a non-title fight. But before being allowed a second try, as is customary in a two-hour window, NYSAC Commission officials hoisted the scales and effectively ruled Pettis out of the title fight.

According to FOX Sports UFC reporter Karyn Bryant the Ultimate Reason for Pettis & # 39; scratches was not his weight but his financial requirements. The former champion asked for a bigger payday to fight Nurmagomedov and was thwarted with a smaller offer.

Attention then shifted to Felder, who earned exactly 155 pounds. But after a brief moment of uncertainty, veteran lightweight became another victim of a dramatic week of fighting for MMA's industry leader.

For more information on UFC 223, visit the UFC Rumors section of the website.